HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Lee Chik-YUET, CHAIRMAN OF The Markets and STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): This question asks whether it is true that USD action against illegal hawkers driven out of Lam Tin housing estate was delayed by a need to consult other departments and whether the Housing Department liaised with USD before expelling the hawkers.
The answer to the first part of the question is that it is not true that USD did not take immediate action against illegal hawkers who were driven out from Lam Tin Estate and started trading in Ping Tin Street. The newspaper reports referred to by Mr. SULKE were therefore inaccurate.
The fact was that, following the Housing Department's action in Lam Tin Estate, some of the hawkers moved to trade in a lane between Tak Tin Street and Ping Tin Street. This lane is within the housing estate boundary and the Housing Department took action subsequently to remove them.
Ping Tin Street is not a hawker blackspot and is relatively free from illegal hawkers. There is, however, a hawker blackspot along the pavement of Tak Tin Street, in-between housing blocks of the estate, which is under the control of USD. This area receives regular law enforcement action by the Department's General Duties Team. There has been no evidence that the number of illegal hawkers in Tak Tin Street has increased substantially.
The answer to the second part of the question is that the Urban Services Department was informed by the Housing Department of their intended hawker clearance operation and was asked to take concerted action against the illegal hawkers in Tak Tin Street. On 22 July 1986, one GDT squad was deployed to the area for one week to take a supportive role. There is, in fact, continuing close liaison between the Housing Department and the USD on hawker control.
MR. WALTER M. SULKE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, could I ask how long the notice was given by the Housing Department that they were going to take this action?
MR. LEE CHIK-YUET (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, if Mr. SULKE is talking about the event on 22 of July, I would say I could not tell you the exact date or the number of days given. I only asked for this information from the USD and as far as I know before the 22 of July, the USD had this piece of information from the Housing Department that clearance action would be taken but I don't know I cannot tell you the exact number of days given.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-The actual date you'll let Mr. SULKE know.
MR. WALTER M. SULKE (in English):-The reason I am asking is because we have always been told the Housing Department can control their hawkers better than we can and is this not a typical example of they driving their hawkers out and delegating their problems to us?
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CHAIRMAN (in English):-You don't have to answer that it's a hypothetical supplementary but on the other hand, if you wish to make a comment please do.
Mr. Lee Chik-YUET (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I want to answer this question. On this occasion, I don't think we should criticize another department on the control of hawkers but on any question relating to USD, I am most happy to answer for.
MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, according to what I know whenever the Housing Department would like to inform us, they usually do so on a Friday afternoon and take action on a Monday morning but I know that the District Management Committee of Kwun Tong what action or what role do they play?
MR. LEE CHIK-YUET (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I don't think I should answer this question on behalf of the Kwun Tong DMC.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, yes, regarding the action of Housing Department and the liaison with USD, I think there is a problem looking at the Lam Tin action or operation, it is not a question getting the liaison of USD but actually they are asking for our help to help clear the hawkers as pointed out by Stephen Lau they gave us two days of notice and only when they want our help then they inform us. So I think the management policy of hawkers of the USD and the similar operation of the Housing Department, is there any conflict between the two? I hope the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee should pay close attention to the management of hawkers within the housing estates and also whether there is any discrepancy or coordination with our own policy?
CHAIRMAN (in English): Supplementary question, OK, Mr. Joseph CHAN and then Peter Chan.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN (in Cantonese):---Mr. Chairman, I have a similar comment of Mr. Lam Chak-piu but I am converting to a question. That is when the Housing Department does any operation in the housing estates, do they actually try to get some coordination from the USD that is we are actually looking after the same problem?
CHAIRMAN (in English):-The reply did indicate this instance to which I presume your supplementary is directed; it does say that it was a co-ordinated action; the USD was informed by the Housing Department. Do you wish to add supplementary to that, Mr. Lee?
MR. LEE CHIK-YUET (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I think the reply is very clear in itself. I don't think it is an appropriate situation where we should comment other department on their management.